Crossing the border with Blue Jays beat reporter Jordan Bastian.

Pirates @ Jays pregame

Chatted with Dustin McGowan this morning about his “setback” and he sounded more relieved than anything. He said his shoulder was feeling more weak than anything, as opposed to the sharp pain he felt prior to his surgery on July.

Dustin said he wanted to see Dr. Kremchek for some reassurance that what he was feeling was normal, and that’s precisely what the doc said. McGowan wants to get back as soon as possible, but said he’s trying to be smart, knowing that there’s no timetable he’s racing against.

“I want to get back to playing, but I’ve go tto be smart. I’ve got to do it the right way so I can avoid injury again and not go through this again,” he said.

Then there is Shaun Marcum, who has been playing catch and wowing Toronto’s coaches an medical staff. There’s even talk that Marcum could possibly be back as early as August. We’ll see about that, though.

“You talk to Marcum, he would pitch right now if you let him,” Gaston said with a laugh, “We have to slow him down a little bit too. I actually spoke to him this morning. I told him ‘Remember, you’re pitching next year — not this year.’ Just slow him down a little bit.”

Russ Adams, who is basically auditioning for other clubs this spring, left yesterday’s game with a sore left quad and Jays skip Cito Gaston said he might be held out of games through Saturday — the off day tomorrow helps.

Scott Richmond is also back in camp with the Jays. He’s scheduled to log three innings in a Minor League game on Friday. Vernon Wells ran again today and said he “felt good.” Probably another week before he’s in a game.

And former Cub great (and Canadian) Fergie Jenkins was on hand to toss out the first pitch today.

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5 Comments

what fantastic news it would be if Marcum could get back on the mound this year. I’m not holding my breath though. Unfortunately I heard that McGowan might actually need untill August to recover.

I was wondering last night, why wasn’t Shawn Hill on the Canadian baseball team, anyone know ? Obviously if everyone’s there he’s an after thought but given that we were missing a few starters I would’ve thought he’d be on the team.

Congratulations to Robinson Diaz of the Pirates for his strong spring showing to date. Now, hitting .417/.500/1.000. Hope he sticks this year and we finally see what he’s got at the MLB level.
I for one wish we’d never traded him, particulary for what we got in return.

Been out of town a few days and just read the comments on Halladay.Both sides make compelling arguements but I still side with Indigo.Trading Doc now would be not in the best interests of the Jays.It’s too early.The situation is not the same as when the Twins traded Santana.We don’t know if Marcum and McGowan will return to their form from injury.The kids may or may not work out.These would factor in to what the Jays would even ask for.Injuries happen of course,however you can’t make trades without taking the risks that those you’re getting in return may get injured.So trading Halladay before he may get injured isn’t a reason to make a trade.The time may come when it is benefitial to trade Doc but I believe it hasn’t come yet.

“Hill’s 2008 season was cut short due to injury. He would be placed on the disabled list twice for arm problems before his season was ended on June 25, 2008. Hill underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove bone spurs on his right elbow in September 2008; he is expected to be ready to pitch by Spring Training.”

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